The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, said on Tuesday that major challenges remain in holding elections in Libya at this time.
Speaking at a meeting of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Benghazi, Bathily stated that ensuring security, including the withdrawal of foreign fighters, and addressing armed groups were among the top obstacles to elections.
“A secure environment conducive to elections requires the removal of mercenaries and unification of armed actors under national civilian bodies,” Bathily told JMC members.
The UN envoy also cited lack of progress on national reconciliation and transitional justice as barriers to polls in the near future.
Bathily said the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) remains committed to assisting the JMC in tackling these challenges to enable credible and transparent elections.
He appealed to Libyan stakeholders to cooperate in achieving elections and ending the political transition in order to restore stability.
“The present situation cannot continue. All sides must act to conclude the transitional period through presidential and parliamentary elections,” Bathily urged.
The UN official voiced confidence that national leaders and the public can overcome divisions for Libya’s future. UNSMIL will keep supporting Libyans through this critical phase, he affirmed.
The JMC, composed of military representatives from western and eastern Libya, was formed in 2020 to monitor a ceasefire and has backed a roadmap to elections.